POLK BROS. FOUNDATION ADDS TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Polk Bros. Foundation welcomes Mary Dempsey and David Snyder to its board.

Polk Bros. Foundation welcomes Mary Dempsey and David Snyder to its board. (Posted by Polk Bros. Foundation, Community Contributor)

Community Contributor Polk Bros. Foundation

Chicago civic leaders Mary Dempsey and David Snyder will join the Polk Bros. Foundation as Board Members-filling two of just eight Board seats, positions made vacant upon the unexpected passing of both Sidney Epstein and Gordon Prussian earlier this year.

Mr. Epstein and Mr. Prussian had both been founding members of the Foundation's Board and had served, together with four other founding Board members - Sandra P. Guthman (chair), Bruce Bachmann, Howard Polk, and Ray Simon - for nearly 28 years. Two other members, Cherryl Thomas and Elizabeth Hartigan Connelly, joined more recently.

"We are delighted to have David and Mary join our Board," says Sandra Guthman, chair. "We did an extensive search and it was clear that they are the ideal additions to our long-standing Board, bringing energy, extensive civic engagement, valuable financial acumen, and, most of all, a true dedication to Chicago and its residents."

Mary Dempsey is an attorney and President of the Philip H. Corboy Foundation. As Commissioner of the Chicago Public Library from 1994 to 2012, Ms. Dempsey led the construction of 44 neighborhood branch libraries, the introduction of rich book collections and technology system-wide, and the creation of innovative programs such as One Book One Chicago and the YOUMedia digital technology initiatives for teens. Ms. Dempsey is a Trustee and former Chair of the Board of Trustees of DePaul University, a member of Executive Board of the Big Shoulders Fund, a trustee of Frances Xavier Warde School, a member of the Advisory Board of Misericordia, the founding Chair of the Leader Council of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls and, since 2016, President of DePaul College Prep.

David Snyder is Publisher of Crain's Chicago Business, the nation's leading local business newspaper and website with a weekly print readership of more than 200,000 and online readership of over 1 million monthly unique visitors. Under his leadership, Crain's has significantly expanded its coverage of politics and of lifestyle topics of interest to its affluent, opinion-leader audience, and has diversified its revenue mix by growing its event and executive education businesses, by starting a unit that publishes program guides for cultural venues and by dramatically increasing its number of paid digital subscribers. Mr. Snyder is on the board of directors of the Harris Theater-where he serves as Treasurer, chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of the Executive Committee-and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce as well as being a member of the CEO Council of Chicago United. He is also a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, the Economic Club of Chicago, the City Club of Chicago and The Chicago Club.

"Like the Polk family who established and ran the Polk Bros chain of appliance stores throughout Chicago, the Polk Bros. Foundation is deeply committed to Chicago and its residents, especially in difficult times," comments Gillian Darlow, CEO. "Until the passing of Mr. Epstein and Mr. Prussian, six of the Foundation's original seven Board members continued to lead the Foundation throughout our entire history. Mary Dempsey and David Snyder were selected to continue that legacy and bring their own deep civic experience to our grantmaking. We are excited to begin working with them and to continue the Foundation's work and mission."

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About The Polk Bros. FoundationThe Polk Bros. Foundation, seeks to improve the quality of life for the people of Chicago. The Foundation partners with local nonprofit organizations that work to reduce the impact of poverty and provide area residents with better access to quality education, preventive health care and basic human services. Through our grantmaking, we strive to make Chicago a place where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Together we envision a time when every Chicagoan can have a secure home, a job that pays a living wage, good health, and access to resources that protect their rights. A time when every child is well-educated, safe, supported by family and community, and has the opportunity to be inspired by and learn from the arts.

In its 28-year history, the Polk Bros. Foundation has partnered with nearly 3,000 nonprofit organizations, all doing work in Chicago. Each year, the Foundation grants $20 to $25 million to more than 350 nonprofit partners.

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